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Ryan Dadoun

Experts Analysis

Lightning get Lindback

On Friday June 16, the Nashville Predators acquired the 37th and 50th overall selections in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, a third-round pick in 2013, and the rights to Sebastien Caron from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Anders Lindback, Kyle Wilson, and the 202nd pick in the 2012 draft.

For Nashville this deal is about acquiring draft picks as Caron is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and might end up simply parting ways with the organization on July 1. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, this is about addressing their gaping hole between the pipes.

Let’s delve a little deeper:

Anders Lindback – Whathis loss means to Nashville: It’s always hard to trade a young and promising goaltender, but the Predators were in a great position to do just that. Pekka Rinne is signed through 2018-19, so he’s locked in to be Nashville’s starter for a long time. The Predators also have a viable backup in Jeremy Smith, who posted a 2.17 GAA and .922 save percentage in 56 AHL games. Finally, the fact that Lindback is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer makes this deal very cost effective for a Predators team that lacks the financial muscle of the major markets.

What his addition means to Tampa Bay: The Lightning have been hurting for a number one goaltender and Lindback has the potential to be just that in Tampa Bay. Although he’ll likely have to fight for the gig, Tampa Bay is expected to give Lindback every opportunity to succeed. He’s a nice mid-to-late round gamble in standard fantasy leagues for the 2012-13 campaign and his value in keeper leagues has skyrocketed now that he’s not stuck behind Rinne.

The big loser in all of this is Riku Helenius, who signed a two-year contract with Tampa Bay and now looks like an underdog to even make the 2012-13 squad in a competition against Lindback and Mathieu Garon. That being said, Helenius might earn a roster spot with the Lightning in 2013-14 if they don’t re-sign Garon.

Kyle Wilson – Whathis loss means to Nashville: At the age of 27, Wilson is first and foremost an organizational depth player. His absence is only a mild inconvenience for Nashville, especially with centers David Legwand, Mike Fisher, and Nick Spaling already locked up for the 2012-13 campaign. If anything, Wilson might have been included in the deal because his contract will become one-way next season and the Predators weren’t sure if they wanted to use him in the NHL.

What his addition means to Tampa Bay: He’ll give them another option in training camp, but he’s not exactly an appealing choice for fantasy owners in standard leagues. That being said, Wilson’s addition gives the Lightning one more option if prospect Vladislav Namestnikov doesn’t look ready to make the transition to the NHL level by the time training camp starts.

On Friday June 16, the Nashville Predators acquired the 37th and 50th overall selections in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, a third-round pick in 2013, and the rights to Sebastien Caron from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Anders Lindback, Kyle Wilson, and the 202nd pick in the 2012 draft.

For Nashville this deal is about acquiring draft picks as Caron is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and might end up simply parting ways with the organization on July 1. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, this is about addressing their gaping hole between the pipes.

Let’s delve a little deeper:

Anders Lindback – Whathis loss means to Nashville: It’s always hard to trade a young and promising goaltender, but the Predators were in a great position to do just that. Pekka Rinne is signed through 2018-19, so he’s locked in to be Nashville’s starter for a long time. The Predators also have a viable backup in Jeremy Smith, who posted a 2.17 GAA and .922 save percentage in 56 AHL games. Finally, the fact that Lindback is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer makes this deal very cost effective for a Predators team that lacks the financial muscle of the major markets.

What his addition means to Tampa Bay: The Lightning have been hurting for a number one goaltender and Lindback has the potential to be just that in Tampa Bay. Although he’ll likely have to fight for the gig, Tampa Bay is expected to give Lindback every opportunity to succeed. He’s a nice mid-to-late round gamble in standard fantasy leagues for the 2012-13 campaign and his value in keeper leagues has skyrocketed now that he’s not stuck behind Rinne.

The big loser in all of this is Riku Helenius, who signed a two-year contract with Tampa Bay and now looks like an underdog to even make the 2012-13 squad in a competition against Lindback and Mathieu Garon. That being said, Helenius might earn a roster spot with the Lightning in 2013-14 if they don’t re-sign Garon.

Kyle Wilson – Whathis loss means to Nashville: At the age of 27, Wilson is first and foremost an organizational depth player. His absence is only a mild inconvenience for Nashville, especially with centers David Legwand, Mike Fisher, and Nick Spaling already locked up for the 2012-13 campaign. If anything, Wilson might have been included in the deal because his contract will become one-way next season and the Predators weren’t sure if they wanted to use him in the NHL.

What his addition means to Tampa Bay: He’ll give them another option in training camp, but he’s not exactly an appealing choice for fantasy owners in standard leagues. That being said, Wilson’s addition gives the Lightning one more option if prospect Vladislav Namestnikov doesn’t look ready to make the transition to the NHL level by the time training camp starts.